Letters of regret at inability to be present were received from
ex-Gov. John Lee Carroll of Maryland, president of the Sons of the
Revolution; Governor Roosevelt of New York, President Eliot of
Harvard, President Hadley of Yale, Senator Hoar of Massachusetts,
Senators Hale and Frye of Maine, Senator Mason of Illinois, David
Starr Jordon, president of Leland Stanford University; E. Benjamin
Andrews, superintendent of public schools, Chicago; Congressman
Sulzer of New York, Rector Conaty of the Catholic University,
President Harper of the University of Chicago, Rev. James H.
O’Donnell, Watertown, Conn.; Hon. Thomas J. Lynch, Augusta, Me.;
Hon. James S. Coleman, New York city; Col. John P. Donahoe,
Wilmington, Del.; Mayor Driscoll of New Haven, Conn.; Col. James
Quinlan, New York city; John J. Davis, Greenville, Pa.; James
Connolly, Coronado, Cal.; Col. James Moran, Providence, R. I., and
from several others.
Ex-Gov. Carroll of Maryland wrote: “If we contrast the pitiful
resources of those early days with the present happiness, wealth and
prosperity of our united country, we can realize the courage of
those daring men who openly proclaimed that our only purpose was to
obtain our freedom ‘peaceably if we could, forcibly if we must.’”
E. Benj. Andrews of Chicago declared: “I assure you that nothing but
my distance from you prevents my attendance. I should be pleased to
attend, not only to hear the distinguished gentlemen who will be
present, but also to testify anew the reverence which all true
patriots must feel for the brave men who immortalized themselves by
standing for liberty on Lexington green, 125 years ago.”
Senator Hoar wrote: “It will not be in my power to attend the
celebration of the 19th of April in Boston by the American-Irish
Historical Society. But I am sure that the celebration will be in
the spirit which animated the men who fought and the men who died on
the 19th of April, 1775. You will, I am sure, reinforce the lesson
that no human power can turn wrong into right, injustice into
justice, or lawfully crush out the love of liberty native in every
human soul and the right to independence that belongs to every
people.”
Gov. Roosevelt said in his letter: “I wish I could be present with
you at the celebration of the battle of Lexington. It is peculiarly
appropriate for men of Irish stock to take part in this celebration,
for they have always done even more than their proper share of
valiant fighting for the republic.”
Congressman Sulzer wrote: “I regret exceedingly my inability to
accept owing to imperative official duties here which demand my
presence in Washington. If ever there was a time in the history of
the republic when we should celebrate the battle of Lexington it is
this year, and I trust your celebration will be a great success in
every way.”
From Congressman Capron of Rhode Island: “I am inclined to refer to
the patriots who fought in the great struggle which initiated the
war for independence and human liberty with the deepest devotion
akin to reverence. The event itself should be held in grateful
remembrance.... Let every American if he would find the spirit which
animated the men of Lexington look down into his own being and
analyze the feelings lying there, and if he be a true American he
will find love of God, love of country, love of home, love of
liberty, love of law and love of man, all and each of which are the
essential components of that which we call patriotism. My colleague,
Mr. Bull, who was also the recipient of your invitation, desires me
to express his thanks therefor and to say that he heartily joins in
the sentiments herein expressed.”